Bending machine



Dec. 5, 1939. J'. F. FISCHER 7 2,182,626

BENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1935 r 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENT OR.

- EMWKW ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1939. FlScHER 2,182,626

BENDING MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1935 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

MQZ MMJ M ATTORNEYS J. F. FIs ER SENDING MA INE Filed Dec. 2, 1935 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV NTOR Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNirEosTATEs 4 ,BENDINGMACHINE, John F. Fischer, Detroit, Mich, minor, by memo assignments, to L. A. Young Spring & Wire Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application Pecember 2, 1335, Serial No. 52,497

19 Claims. -(ci. 153-40) This invention relates to improvements in bending machines.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a metal bending machine characterized by a slow movement of the form during the bending of certain portions and a rapid movement during the simpler bending operation on other portions. Second, to provide novel means for reciprocating a bending form during the rotation thereof.

Third, to provide improved mandrel supporting means for a metal strip bending machine.

Fourth, to provide reciprocating means for the form of the metal bending machine, characterized by the simplicity and efficiency thereof.

Objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 indicates a perspective view of a ma chine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 indicates a top plan view of the slidable 'bed plate and rotatable table included in my invention, the bending fixture and mandrel being removed and successive positions of the bed plate being indicated in dotted lines.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with portions omitted and broken away.

Fig. 4 is a view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 5, illustrating details of my improved mandrel carrier.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a view of a formed part bent by my machine with the form illustrated, the part being shown after being welded.

The machine of the present application is an improvement on the machine embodied in my prior Patent No. 1,970,694, dated August 21,

1934, and differs primarily therefrom in that it is provided with means for reciprocating the work supporting-bed plate mounted on a rotatable table so as to furnish a rapid movement of the bending form past the mandrel at points where there is no substantial bending of the work, it being merely laid up against the form. At points where there is continual and abrupt bending of the metal strip such as the corners of an elongated rectangular shaped moulding, the form is passed slowlyby the bending mandrel due to the fact that there is no reciprocating movement imparted thereto,

window frame or I have found that greatly improved results are attained by such variations in speed of'travel of the form since if a machine for producing :a rectangular window frame is operated slowly enough to produce abruptly rounded portions in 5 1 a safe manner, its travel at the elongated straight" or slightly bent portions of the frame is too slow for desired speed of production. Likewise if the speed of the entire operation of a form havingv rotative movement only is stepped up so as to 1G provide the necessary speed for the complete" operation, the bending of a strip of conformed cross section around the abrupt corners. is so rapid that fracturing of the metal results.

With the above objects in view I have equipped the bed plate supporting the bending form of. my machine with cam tracks at either end cooperating with a roller mounted on a stationary part of the machine for the purpose of reciprocating the-plate and form rectilinearly at the same time that they are being given a rotative movement by means supplied for that purpose.

My invention further embodies an improved mandrel carrier to cooperate with the form during the compound movement imparted to the form.

Referringto the drawings, the reference numeral l indicates a suitable work supporting table mounted in conjunction with a supporting frame .or table 2 for theoperating means comprising my invention. A drive shaft 3 is arranged underneath support 2 to actuate a bevel gear 4 meshing with bevel gear 5 which is rigidly secured to a rotating table 6 carried on support 2 by means of a depending annular rib-like slide traveling in the annular groove-like way 8 in support 2.

Rigidly mounted on rotating table 6 by means of screws 3 I provide side guide ways or members Ill having undercut longitudinal grooves ll 40 in which are received horizontal flanges I2 of a slidable form bed plate I3. By the above construction a bed plate i3 is capable of having imparted thereto a sliding reciprocating motion with respect to rotatable table 6 and receives the same rotative movement as is imparted to table 6 or rotates with the table. Suitably mounted on the sliding bed plate I3 as by means of screws I4 is a bending form I5 having'a peripheral channel therein adapted to receive the work, in this embodiment'the metal strip l6, and having an approximately elongated rectangular form similar to the shape of the frame formed fromthe bent strip It, as indicated in Fig. 6. It will be apparent that other outlines may be bent by my machine and that strips having various cross sections may be operated on by simply supplying appropriate forms to the plate l3 and providing appropriate mandrels.

At the opposed ends of the sliding formbed plate I3 I mount cam elements I! having secured thereto by cross pieces It the further camelements IS. The elements I! and i3 constitute cam tracks in which roller is received, roller 20 being suitably mounted on the stationary. frame or table 2. The purpose of the cam tracks I1 and I3 and the roller 20 is to push plate l3 and the form carried thereby longitudinally in the side guides while the plate is being rotated. As a result of the combined longitudinal movement and rotation of plate l3, it will be, seen that the travel thereof is considerably more rapid than when the plate has a rotation alone imparted to it.

I have described the longitudinal movement as being supplied by cam tracks and a roller. However, it will be apparent that this result may be accomplished in various. ways,. viz through routed grooves, or slides, racks'and pinions, or by air cylinders, etc. I

For guiding the bed p ie I 3 during the purely rotary movement of the same, I provide a plurality of rollers 2| mounted in" blocks 22 suitably spaced on frame 2. Therollerscoact with grooves 23in the bottom of the bedplate l-3'andthespac ing of the rollers is such th'at at all times during the purely rotative movement of the plate'thei'e is a roller 2| in groove 23. Thus, in Fig. 1, the cam tracks l9 have completed their function of imparting a longitudinal movement to plate l3 and roller 2| is entering groove 23 to guide plate |3 during its circular movement with respect to the mandrel.

My machine is provided with the usual single revolution mechanism for stopping the rotation thereof after a strip l6 has been bent, comprising cams 24 on rotating table 6, links 215, 26, lever 21, .slidable rod 28 and spring 29. This structure forms no part of my invention.

Mounted on the frame 2 adjacent rotating table 6 I dispose a vertical shaft 30 having pivoted thereon a horizontally extending arm 3|, the arm being provided at the pivotal point with a bracket 32 in which is threaded an adjusting screw 33 by means of which the height of arm 3| on shaft 3|] may be adjusted.

At the free end of arm 3| I swivel a mandrel support spindle 34 having an enlargement or head 35. The apertured retaining plate 36 holds the spindle 34 for swiveling movement in arm 3| by its engagement with the head of the spindle, and screws 31 secure the retaining plate to arm 3|. A spacing member or sleeve 38'under cut at 39 is arranged on the spindle beneath the plate 36. Secured to spacing member 38 by means of screws 40 (Fig. 4) is an apertured guide plate 4| having slots 42 therein to receive swiveling guide pins 43 which depend into curved recesses in the mandrel carrier 44.

The mandrel carrier, as indicated in dotted lines in Figs. 4 and 5, is recessed at 45 to receive spindle 34 and has a groove 46 extending longitudinally thereof in which the tongue 41 of a suitably shaped mandrel 48 is mounted. At its lower end the mandrel support pin 34 is provided with an enlarged pilot roller 49 which cooperates with a track or ledge 50 on the upper surface of the bed I plate l3. Plate 3 likewise carries wear plates 5| on which the face end of strip l6 slides while it is being bent. Ledge 50, as will be seen. t to forcibly maintain mandrel 43 in the channel form l5 during the passage of the form past the mandrel. a

Referring to Fig. 4, the tail end 52 ofmandrel 43 is, illustrated as being rounded to permit the passage of the mandrel inside the conformed work l5.

In the above description of the mandrel and supporting means therefor, it will be apparent that mandrel and its carriage 44 have a swiveling movement due to the mounting of the spindle 34,- arm 3| and also a further swiveling movement provided by the guide pins 43 in slots 42. A completely free and universal pivoting of the mandrel I 41 about abrupt turns is thus assured while pilot roller 43 and track or ledge 50 hold the mandrel against the strip in the form channel. j I provide means comprising a chain or cable 53 passing over a pulley 54 mounted in an upwardly extending bracket 55 secured to frame 2 and having a weight 56 attached to the end thereof for yieldingly urging arm 3| and the mandrel devices carried thereby'outwardly from the form l5.

Interio'rly ofsthej form IS a clamping means for clamping an' endof the work l6 against the form is shown, comprising a block 51 and handle member 58 which, when actuated, operates a link 53 and strip clamping element 60 by means of a cam mechanism or toggle mechanism such as shown in my Patent No. 1,970,694, or other suitable means.

In operation a piece of work. N5 of desired cross section is clamped by element 60 against form 5, themandrel 41 having been inserted in the strip. The table G'is rotated and the form travels in operative relation to the mandrel. Due to the action of roller 20 and cam track l8 at the points where a' relatively slight bend is to be imparted to the work, a fast motion is given to the form during its travel. However, when an abrupt bend is to be formed, cam track l3 leaves roller 20 and the motion is a purely circular one, the table carrying the form being supported by rollers 2| in groove 23. This motion is a relatively slow one and permits the material of the work to flow properly', thereby accomplishing a more satisfactory and smooth bend. After the abruptly bent portion ofthe work has been formed cam tracks l3 at the opposite end of the table come into cooperation with roller 2|l, with the result that the table is rapidly reciprocated reversely to the direction of its first reciprocation and the elongated portion of the strip I6 is laid in the channeled form l5.

My improved mandrel 48 and swiveling connection therefor contribute materially to the accomplishment of the objects of my invention by furnishing a free movement of the mandrel in its working relation to the form channel.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in an ambodiment which I have found very practical. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, an elongated bed plate slidably mounted on said table, a form fixed on said bed plate, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent said table, a mandrel swiveled. in the end of said arm to cooperate with said form, means surrounding the form in uniform spaced relation thereto for maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with the form, pilot means associated with the mandrel and coacting with said means, means for clamping. the-end of a strip of work to said form, and meansfor imparting a motion of pure rotation. to said form during a substantial portion of each revolution of the table and for imparting a combined movement of rotation and translation to the form during another portion of the revolution of the table, said last named means comprising a roller positioned at the end of said table for sliding "theform longitudinally during a portion of the rotation thereof and cam tracks on the table coacting intermittently with said roller, whereby'the work is rapidly pressed between said form and mandrel during the combined longitudinal and rotative movement of the form and slowly during the rotative movement thereof. 2. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a bed plate slidably mounted on said table, a form fixed on said bed plate, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent said table, a mandrel swiveled inthe end of said arm to cooperate with said form, means surrounding the form in uniform spaced relation thereto for maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with the form, pilot means associated with the mandrel and coacting with said means, and means for imparting amotion of pure rotation to said form during a substantial portion of each revolution of said table and for imparting a combined movement of rotation and translation to the form during another portion of the revolution of the table, said last named means comprising cam tracks coacting with a roller positioned at the end of said table 85 for sliding the form longitudinally during the rotation thereof, whereby the work is rapidly pressed between said form and mandrel during a portion of the combined longitudinal and rotative movement of the form and slowly during the m rotative movement thereof.

3. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a bed plate slidably mounted on said table, a form fixed on said bed plate, an arm pivotally mounted on said table, a mandrel swiveled in the endof said arm to cooperate with said form, means surrounding the form in uniform spaced relation thereto for maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with the form, pilot means associated with the mandrel and coacting with said means, and means comprising cam tracks coacting intermittently with a roller positioned at the end of said table for sliding the form longitudinally during a portion of the rotation thereof, whereby the work is rapidly pressed between said form and mandrel during the combined longitudinal and rotative movement of the form and slowly during the rotative movement thereof.

4. A metal bending machine comprising a roo tatable table, a form slidably mounted on said table, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent said table, a mandrel swiveled in the end of said arm to cooperate with said form, means surrounding the form in uniform spaced relation thereto for 35 maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with the form, pilot means associated with the mandrel and coacting with said means, and means for imparting movement of pure rotation to said form during a substantial portion of each revolution of 70 the table and for imparting a combined movement of rotation and translation to the form during another portion of the revolution of the tabl,

. ing a portion of the rotation thereof, whereby the -work is rapidly pressed between said 'formand arcane; 3

mandrel during the combined longitudinal and rotative movement of the form and slowly during the rotative movement thereof.

5. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a form slidably mounted on said table, an arm mounted adjacent said tablefa mandrel swiveled in "the end of said arm to cooperate with said form, means surrounding the form in uniform spaced relations thereto for prising cam tracks coacting intermittently with a roller positioned at the end of said table for sliding the form longitudinally during a portion of the rotation thereof, whereby the work is rapidly pressed between said form and mandrel during the combined longitudinaland rotative movement of the form and slowly during the rotative movement thereof.

.6. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a form slidably mounted on said table; a mandrel swiveled to cooperate with said form,

means surrounding the form inuniform spaced relation thereto for maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with the form, pilot means associated with the mandrel and coacting with said means, and means comprising cam tracks coacting intermittently with a roller positioned at the nally during a portion of the rotation thereof, whereby the work is rapidly pressed between said form and mandrel during the combined longitudinal and rotative movement of the form and slowly during the rotative movement thereof.

7. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, aform slidably mounted on said table, an arm pivotally mounted adjacent said table, a mandrel swiveled in the end of said arm to cooperate with said form, means for maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with the form, pilot means associated with the mandrel and coacting with said means, and means comprising cam tracks coacting with a roller positioned at the end of said table for sliding the form longitudinally during a portion of the rotation thereof, and further means to prevent longitudinal movement of the form during another anda substantial portion of the movement of the form whereby the work is rapidly pressed between said form and mandrel during the combined longitudinal and rotative movement of -the form and slowly during the rotative movement thereof.

8. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a form slidably mounted on said table, a mandrel cooperating with said form,

end of said table for sliding the form longitudi-'- means for maintaining the mandrel in cooperation with'the form, and means for imparting a motion of pure rotation to said form during a substantial portion of each revolution of the table and for imparting a movement of combined rotation and translation to the form during another portion of the rotation of the table.

9. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a form slidably mounted on said table, a mandrel cooperating with said form, and means for imparting a motion-of pure rotation to said form during a substantial portion of each revolution of the table and for imparting a movement of combined rotation and translation to the form during another portion of the rotation of the table.

10. In a metal bending machine, an elongated rotatable and slidable form, means for rotating and sliding the form, means for clamping the end of a strip against said form, and means adapted to press the strip against said form during the movement of the form, comprising a swiveled elongated mandrel, a carrier therefor, and a guide plate having slots therein and pins received guided in said slots for guiding .the swiveling movement of said mandrel;

12. In a metal bending machine, a rotatable m and slidable form, means for rotating and sliding the form, and means adapted to press the strip 1 against said form during the movement of the form comprising a swiveled mandrel, and a guide plate having slots therein and pins received in said mandrel and guided in said slots for guiding the swiveling movement of said mandrel.

13. In a bending machine, the combination with a rotatable table, a form bed plate mounted on said table for reciprocation transversely of the axis of the table, a form on said bed plate, means for clamping an end of the work to the form, a mandrel mounted for movement to and from the axis of the table, a track concentric of said form for supporting said mandrel in operative relation thereto as the form is rotated, means for intermittently imparting a reciprocating movement to said form bed plate as the table revolves comprising cam ways carried by said bed plate and a cam follower with which said cam ways are brought into cooperating relation by rotation 45 pass out of cooperating relation when a plate with the table, and means for preventing reciprocatory movement of the bed plate during a portion of the rotation of the table comprising followers and coacting ways on said bed plate which reciprocating cam way is brought into cooperating relation with its coacting follower.

14. In a bending machine, the combination with a rotatable table, a form bed plate mounted 50 on said table for reciprocation transversely of the axis of the table, a form on said bed plate, means for clamping an end of the work to the form, a mandrel operatively associated with said form, means for intermittently imparting re- 55 ciprocating movement to said form bed plate as the table revolves comprising cam ways carried by said bed plate and a cam follower with which said cam ways are brought into cooperating relation by rotation with the table, and means for preventing reciprocatory movementof the bed plate during a portion of the rotation of the table comprising followers and coacting ways on said bed plate which pass out of cooperating relation when a plate reciprocating cam way is brought into cooperating relation with its coacting follower. a

15. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a form plate having flange-like slideway engaging members at opposite sides thereof, said table being provided with slideways coacting therewith, and means for rapidly reciprocating said plate during the rotation of the table comprising cam tracks mounted at either end of the plate and a relatively fixed follower intermittently engageable with said cam tracks. 16. A bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a bed plate carrying a form reciprocatingly mounted on said table, and means for reciprocating said bed plate during part of each rotative cycle thereof comprising cam tracks mounted on the form plate and a cam follower intermittently engageable with said cam track to translate the form during a portion of the rotative movement of the table.

1'7. A metal bending machine comprising a rotatable table, a form mounted for rotative movement around the axis of rotation 01' said tableand for slidable movement transverse to such axis, means for causing said form to rotate about the axis of rotation of the table in fixed relationship thereto during a substantial portion of the rotative movement of the table, and means for rapidly reciprocating said formduring another'portion of the rotation of the table.

. 18. In a bending machine, the combination with a rotatable table, of means for rotating the table, a form mounted on said table for reciprocation transversely of the axis of the table, a mandrel operatively associated with the form, means for preventing other than rotative movement of said form during a portion of the rotation of the table, and further means for imparting rapid reciprocating movement to said form during another portion of the rotation of said table.

19. A bending machine comprising, a rotatable table, a bed plate carrying a form reciprocatingly mounted on said table, means for preventing other than rotative movement of said form during a portion of the rotation of the table, and further means for rapidly reciprocating said bed plate during another portion of the rotation of said table.

JOHN F. FISCHER. 

